Are you planning to move to Luxembourg? Alone or accompanied, with your family or your pet, what do you need to know to settle, live and work in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg?
Find out all our tips for a successful installation and integration.
What do you need to know to live and work in Luxembourg?
Here are 10 key points to know about living and integrating in Luxembourg.
Find out about residency and work permit requirements
If you're planning to move to and/or work in Luxembourg, it's first important to understand the requirements for expatriation visas and residence and work permits.
Settling in is fairly straightforward for EU nationals. However, if you come from a non-EU country, find out about the necessary administrative procedures before you or your family arrive as expatriates.
Job search, meet the demand
Luxembourg is an economically strong country that is constantly recruiting. Its financial services, industry and new technology sectors offer numerous job opportunities. Every year, the country welcomes many new expatriates, and its net migration is largely positive.
Nevertheless, whether you're a prospective expatriate or an expatriate's spouse, there are plenty of job vacancies waiting to be filled. The market is demanding, and the positions on offer require specific qualifications. What's more, many positions require a command of several languages.
A work culture focused on efficiency and respect
Have you found a job yet? Congratulations! The working culture in Luxembourg is based on punctuality, efficiency and respect for schedules. To facilitate your integration as a new expatriate in Luxembourg, it's important to show discretion and respect the hierarchy at work. Furthermore, laws are designed to benefit employers and employees alike. It is therefore advisable to find out in advance about the rights and obligations of each party in the Luxembourg working environment. See laws and working conditions.
Obligation to register with the Centre Commun de Sécurité Sociale
Although Luxembourg's healthcare system is of high quality and access to care is easy, you must register with the CCSS - Centre Commun de la Sécurité Sociale - in order to benefit from it.
In Luxembourg, healthcare is generally well covered, thanks to compulsory social security contributions. This is one less worry for new expatriates, who can benefit quickly. For others, you'll need to take out supplementary health insurance.
Car or public transport?
Luxembourg's transport system is well developed. What's more, bus and 2nd class train travel is free within the country. New expatriates will quickly find their feet and be able to move around with complete peace of mind.
However, getting around is quick and easy for people living in big cities or close to major roads. For others, you'll probably have to invest in one or more vehicles per household.
In fact, small villages don't always have many public transport links to other communes or to Luxembourg or other economic centers. You'll either have to be patient and flexible when it comes to timetables, or think about buying a new car.
A high cost of living to consider when settling in
Every prospective expatriate needs to consider the costs of accommodation and services in their future host country. If you're thinking of moving to Luxembourg, it's important to factor this into your budget when planning your expatriation. See the cost of living in Luxembourg.
An inclusive education system for newcomers
Luxembourg's education system is of the highest quality. It is also increasingly adapted to Luxembourg's multicultural population and its many expatriates. Education is multilingual, with a strong emphasis on foreign languages. Newcomer pupils are catered for by a special scheme to facilitate the integration of Luxembourg's many expatriates.
Learn languages
Luxembourg is a multicultural country. There are no fewer than 170 different nationalities. Nearly half the population is of foreign origin. This multiculturalism makes it easy for foreign newcomers to settle in. However, while this multiculturalism makes it easier to welcome foreigners, it also encourages people to withdraw into their own communities, provided these are sufficiently large and dynamic.
So to facilitate integration, it's a good idea to learn the languages most commonly used locally. Luxembourg is a multilingual country. Lëtzebuergesch, French and German are widely spoken. English is also widely spoken, particularly in the workplace.
Knowing one of these languages will make your expatriation and integration much easier. There are many ways to learn languages.
Traditions to ease expat integration
Luxembourg has a rich cultural history and is very attached to its traditions. Numerous festivals and events offer great opportunities for expats to discover Luxembourg culture and traditions. Ideal for immersing yourself in Luxembourg culture. Throughout the year, expatriate families can easily go out and take part in local events. This makes their integration into their new country all the more successful.
Successful expatriation requires expatriate involvement
As we've said, Luxembourg offers a wide range of social and cultural activities. There are many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, bars, museums, traditional events, green spaces... Nevertheless, it's worth getting involved in community activities to increase your chances of meeting new people and integrating more easily into local life. See outings and leisure activities in Luxembourg.
By consulting our pages, you can find out more about the specifics and details concerning each of these points to facilitate your integration and make a success of your expatriation project in Luxembourg.
Successful installation and integration with Just Arrived®.
Whatever your country of origin, prepare your expatriation to Luxembourg and make your arrival and installation in the Grand Duchy easier with JUST ARRIVED® practical guides.
For over 15 years, we've been helping foreign expatriates settle in Luxembourg and cross-border commuters integrate. With our essential information, you'll quickly find your bearings and benefit from all our tips and tricks.
